Method of non-electrostatically transferring small electrostatographic toner particles from an element to a receiver

摘要

A method is provided for non-electrostatically transferring dry toner particles which comprise a toner binder and have a particle size of 8 micrometers or less from the surface of an element to a receiver. The receiver comprises a substrate having a coating of a semi-crystalline polyester on a surface of the substrate. The semi-crystalline polyester has a glass transition temperature in a range of from approximately 5 DEG C. to 80 DEG C.; a melting temperature in a range of from approximately 40 DEG C. to 200 DEG C.; a weight average molecular weight in a range of from approximately 10,000 to 150,000; a number average molecular weight in a range of from approximately 5,000 to 75,000; a crystallinity of from approximately 5 to 25 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polyester and a surface energy of from approximately 44 to 52 dynes/cm. The method involves preheating the receiver to a temperature ranging from approximately 70 DEG C. to 95 DEG C. and contacting the toner-bearing element with the receiver to effectuate the transfer of virtually 100% of the toner particles from the element to the receiver and thereafter separating the receiver from the element while the temperature of the semi-crystalline polyester coating on the receiver is maintained above the glass transition temperature of the semi-crystalline polyester. The method is particularly well suited for providing images having high resolution and low granularity from very small toner particles.